The effect of pollution on crime: Evidence from data on particulate matter and ozone

We estimate the effect of short-term air pollution exposure (PM_2.5 and ozone) on several categories of crime, with a particular emphasis on aggressive behavior. To identify this relationship, we combine detailed daily data on crime, air pollution, and weather for an eight-year period across the United States. Our primary identification strategy employs extremely high dimensional fixed effects and we perform a series of robustness checks to address confounding variation between temperature and air pollution. We find a robust positive effect of increased air pollution on violent crimes, and specifically assaults, but no relationship between increases in air pollution and property crimes. The effects are present in and out of the home, at levels well below Ambient Air Pollution Standards, and PM_2.5 effects are strongest at lower temperatures. The results suggest that a 10% reduction in daily PM_2.5 and ozone could save $1.4 billion in crime costs per year, a previously overlooked cost associated with pollution.     

Review of total suspended particles (TSP) and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> concentration variations in Asia during the years of 1998–2015

In Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, ambient air total suspended particulates and PM_2.5 concentration data were collected and discussed during the years of 1998–2015 in this study. The aim of the present study was to (1) investigate and collect ambient air total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 concentrations for Asian countries during the past two decades. (2) Discuss, analyze and compare those particulates (TSP and PM_2.5) annual concentration distribution trends among those Asian countries during the past two decades. (3) Test the mean concentration differences in TSP and PM_2.5 among the Asian countries during the past decades. The results indicated that the mean TSP concentration order was shown as China > Malaysia > Pakistan > India > Taiwan > Korea > Japan. In addition, the mean PM_2.5 concentration order was shown as Vietnam > India > China > Hong Kong > Mongolia > Korea > Taiwan > Japan and the average percentages of PM_2.5 concentrations for Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Other (India and Vietnam) were 8, 21, 6, 8, 14, 13 and 30%, respectively, during the past two decades. Moreover, t test results revealed that there were significant mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentration differences for either China or India to any of the countries such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan in Asia during the past two decades for this study. Noteworthy, China and India are both occupied more than 60% of the TSP and PM_2.5 particulates concentrations out of all the Asia countries. As for Taiwan, the average PM_2.5 concentration displayed increasing trend in the years of 1998–1999. However, it showed decreasing trend in the years of 2000–2010. As for Korea, the average PM_2.5 concentrations showed decreasing trend during the years of 2001–2013. Finally, the average PM_2.5 concentrations for Mongolia displayed increasing trend in the years of 2004–2013.     

Ambient air particulates-bound metallic elements sources identifications during winter and summer at a Science Park

The ambient air particulates pollutants of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 were collected by using PS-1 and Wilbur PM_2.5 sampler, simultaneously during the year of 2015–2017 at a photoelectric factory in Science Park of central Taiwan. And those of the ambient air atmospheric metallic elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) concentrations which attached on the TSP and PM_2.5 were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. In addition, identifying anthropogenic and natural pollutants sources were conducted by using the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The results indicated that the average TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations were ranked highest in winter season, while summer season was ranked lowest during the year of 2015–2016. In addition, the average highest metallic element concentrations were occurred in winter season for both TSP and PM_2.5 during the year of 2015–2016, while the average lowest metallic elements concentrations in TSP and PM_2.5 were also occurred in winter season during the year of 2016–2017. Moreover, the EF analysis results showed that the metallic element Zn came from anthropogenic emission source. As for metallic element Mn, the results showed that metallic element Mn was mainly attributed to natural emission in this study. Finally, the PCA results showed that metallic elements Cr, Zn and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements in this study. As for PM_2.5, the results showed that the metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements at this HPB sampling site.

     

Characteristics of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>, CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and particle-number concentration in mass transit railway carriages in Hong Kong

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) levels, carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels and particle-number concentrations (PNC) were monitored in train carriages on seven routes of the mass transit railway in Hong Kong between March and May 2014, using real-time monitoring instruments. The 8-h average PM_2.5 levels in carriages on the seven routes ranged from 24.1 to 49.8 µg/m³, higher than levels in Finland and similar to those in New York, and in most cases exceeding the standard set by the World Health Organisation (25 µg/m³). The CO₂ concentration ranged from 714 to 1801 ppm on four of the routes, generally exceeding indoor air quality guidelines (1000 ppm over 8 h) and reaching levels as high as those in Beijing. PNC ranged from 1506 to 11,570 particles/cm³, lower than readings in Sydney and higher than readings in Taipei. Correlation analysis indicated that the number of passengers in a given carriage did not affect the PM_2.5 concentration or PNC in the carriage. However, a significant positive correlation (p < 0.001, R ² = 0.834) was observed between passenger numbers and CO₂ levels, with each passenger contributing approximately 7.7–9.8 ppm of CO₂. The real-time measurements of PM_2.5 and PNC varied considerably, rising when carriage doors opened on arrival at a station and when passengers inside the carriage were more active. This suggests that air pollutants outside the train and passenger movements may contribute to PM_2.5 levels and PNC. Assessment of the risk associated with PM_2.5 exposure revealed that children are most severely affected by PM_2.5 pollution, followed in order by juveniles, adults and the elderly. In addition, females were found to be more vulnerable to PM_2.5 pollution than males (p < 0.001), and different subway lines were associated with different levels of risk.     

PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> particulates and metallic elements (Ni,Cu, Zn,Cd and Pb) study in a mixed area of summer season in Shalu,Taiwan

PM_2.5 has become an important environmental issue in Taiwan during the past few years. Moreover, electricity increased significantly during the summertime and TTPP generated by coal burning base is the main electricity provider in central Taiwan. Therefore, summer season has become the main research target in this study. The ambient air concentrations of particulate matter PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ collected by using VAPS at a mixed characteristic sampling site were studied in central Taiwan. The results indicated that the average daytime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in May and they were 44.75 and 57.77 µg/m³ in this study. The results also indicated that the average nighttime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in June and they were 38.19 and 45.79 µg/m³ in this study. The average PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios were 0.7 for daytime, nighttime and 24-h sampling periods in the summer for this study. This value was ranked as the lowest ratios when compared to the other seasons in previous study. Noteworthy, the results further indicated that the metallic element Pb has the mean highest concentrations for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods when compared to those of the other metallic elements (Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd). The average mean highest metallic Pb concentrations in PM10 were 110.7, 203.0 and 207.2 ng/m³ for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods in this study. And there were 59.53, 105.2 and 106.6 ng/m³ for Pb in PM2.5 for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods, respectively. Moreover, the results further indicated that mean metallic element Pb concentrations on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were all higher than those of the other elements for 24 h, day and nighttime.     

Estimating the effects of meteorology on PM2.5 reduction during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China

Particulate pollution was a critical challenge to the promise of good air quality during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which took place from August 8th to 24th. To ensure good air quality for the Games, several temporary emission control measures were implemented in Beijing and surrounding areas. Ambient particulate matter concentration decreased significantly during the Olympic period; however, it is difficult to distinguish the effectiveness of those control measures since meteorology also affects ambient PM_2.5 concentration. In this work, a multiple linear regression model based on continuous field monitoring at a roadside site was conducted to evaluate the effects of meteorology and emission control measures on the reduction of PM_2.5 during the 2008 Olympic Games. The hourly data set was divided into two time periods, the no control period, June 22nd to July 4th, and the control period, July 28th to August 21st. The response variable was PM_2.5 and the meteorology covariates used in the model were hourly temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed and precipitation. Wind direction was not a significant predictor of PM_2.5 levels in either the control or the no control period. Using the meteorologically-based regression coefficients from the two time periods, meteorology was found to contribute to at least a 16% reduction in PM_2.5 levels in the roadside microenvironment; while the pollution control measures contributed to at least a 43% reduction in PM_2.5 levels.     

Evaluation of the levels and sources of trace elements in urban particulate matter

An assessment of air quality of Belgrade, Serbia, was performed by determining the trace element content in airborne daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples collected from a central urban area. The ambient concentrations of Zn were the highest in PM_2.5 (1,998.0 ng m⁻³). Multivariate receptor modelling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) has been applied to determine the contribution of different sources of specific metallic components in airborne particles. The obtained results showed that vehicle traffic and fossil fuel combustion in stationary objects were the main sources of trace metals in Belgrade urban aerosols.     

Particle size distributions, PM2.5 concentrations and water-soluble inorganic ions in different public indoor environments: a case study in Jinan, China

In this study, we collected particles with aerodynamic diameter ?2.5 μm (PM_2.5) from three different public indoor places (a supermarket, a commercial office, and a university dining hall) in Jinan, a medium-sized city located in northern China. Water-soluble inorganic ions of PM_2.5 and particle size distributions were also measured. Both indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 levels (102.3–143.8 μg·m^?3 and 160.2–301.3 μg·m^?3, respectively) were substantially higher than the value recommended by the World Health Organization (25 μg·m^?3), and outdoor sources were found to be the major contributors to indoor pollutants. Diurnal particle number size distributions were different, while the maximum volume concentrations all appeared to be approximately 300 nm in the three indoor locations. Concentrations of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 were shown to exhibit the same variation trends for the supermarket and dining hall. For the office, PM_2.5 concentrations during nighttime were observed to decrease sharply. Among others, SO ₄ ^2? , NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ^? were found to be the dominant water-soluble ions of both indoor and outdoor particles. Concentrations of NO ₃ ^? in the supermarket and office during the daytime were observed to decrease sharply, which might be attributed to the fact that the indoor temperature was much higher than the outdoor temperature. In addition, domestic activities such as cleaning, water usage, cooking, and smoking also played roles in degraded indoor air quality. However, the results obtained here might be negatively impacted by the small number of samples and short sampling durations.     

Impact of energy structure adjustment on air quality: a case study in Beijing, China

Energy consumption is a major cause of air pollution in Beijing, and the adjustment of the energy structure is of strategic importance to the reduction of carbon intensity and the improvement of air quality. In this paper, we explored the future trend of energy structure adjustment in Beijing till 2020, designed five energy scenarios focusing on the fuel substitution in power plants and heating sectors, established emission inventories, and utilized the Mesoscale Modeling System Generation 5 (MM5) and the Models-3/Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) to evaluate the impact of these measures on air quality. By implementing this systematic energy structure adjustment, the emissions of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO _x , and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) will decrease distinctly by 34.0%, 53.2%, 78.3%, 47.0%, and 30.6% respectively in the most coalintensive scenario of 2020 compared with 2005. Correspondingly, MM5-Models-3/CMAQ simulations indicate significant reduction in the concentrations of major pollutants, implying that energy structure adjustment can play an important role in improving Beijing??s air quality. By fuel substitution for power plants and heating boilers, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO _x , and NMVOCs will be reduced further, but slightly by 1.7%, 4.5%, 11.4%, 13.5%, and 8.8% respectively in the least coal-intensive scenario. The air quality impacts of different scenarios in 2020 resemble each other, indicating that the potential of air quality improvement due to structure adjustment in power plants and heating sectors is limited. However, the CO₂ emission is 10.0% lower in the least coal-intensive scenario than in the most coal-intensive one, contributing to Beijing??s ambition to build a low carbon city. Except for energy structure adjustment, it is necessary to take further measures to ensure the attainment of air quality standards.     

Analysis and prediction of the influence of energy utilization on air quality in Beijing

This work evaluates the influence of energy consumption on the future air quality in Beijing, using 2000 as the base year and 2008 as the target year. It establishes the emission inventory of primary PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO_x related to energy utilization in eight areas of Beijing. The air quality model was adopted to simulate the temporal and spatial distribution of each pollutant concentration in the eight urban areas. Their emission, concentration distribution, and sectoral share responsibility rate were analyzed, and air quality in 2008 was predicted. The industrial sector contributed above 40% of primary PM₁₀ and SO₂ resulting from energy consumption, while vehicles accounted for about 65% of NO_x. According to the current policy and development trend, air quality in the eight urban areas could become better in 2008 when the average concentrations of primary PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO₂ related to energy utilization at each monitored site are predicted to be about 25, 50 and 51 μg/m³, respectively.     

Numerical simulations of the effect of building configurations and wind direction on fine particulate matters dispersion in a street canyon

To explore the effect of traffic emissions on air quality within street canyon, the wind flow and pollutant dispersion distribution in urban street canyons of different H/W, building gap and wind direction are studied and discussed by 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 46.4, 37.5, 28.4 µg/m³ when x = ? 88, ? 19.3, ? 19.3 m in 1.5 m above the ground level and the ratio of H/W is 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively. The flow around the top of the building and clearance flow between the buildings in street canyon influence by different H/W, which affected the diffusion of fine particulate matters. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 88.1, 31.6 and 33.7 µg/m³ when x = 148.0, ? 92.3 and ? 186.7 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and the building gap of 0, 20 and 40%, respectively. The air flows are cut by the clearance in the street canyons, and present the segmental characteristics. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 10.6, 11.2 and 16.0 µg/m³ when x = 165.3 m, x = 58.0 and 1.5 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and wind direction of the parallel to the street, perpendicular to the street and southwest, respectively. Modelled PM_2.5 concentrations are basic agreement with measured PM_2.5 concentrations for southwest wind direction. These results can help analyze the difussion of PM_2.5 concentration in street canyons and urban planning.

     

Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment in Xiamen city,China

Urban energy consumption is one of the most important causes of air pollution. Air pollution-oriented ecological risk assessment is of great significance to the promotion of urban environmental protection. This paper focuses on ecological risk in Xiamen city caused by air pollutant discharge from urban energy consumption. The Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning model was used to establish two scenarios of energy consumption in Xiamen city, and based on different scenarios, we estimated urban energy consumption and discharge quantity of air pollutant (DQAP). A box model and an expert scoring method were used to calculate the air pollution burden (APB) of SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and to obtain the probabilities of different air pollution loads. An ecological risk assessment model was developed and utilized to predict Xiamen city’s ecological risks in 2020. The results showed that under an energy-saving scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are high, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. Under a baseline scenario, the ecological risks for PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ are moderate, whereas the ecological risks for CO and PM₁₀ are low. In addition, the APB of SO₂, NO₂, CO, and PM_2.5, but not of PM₁₀, is predicted to rise. In the simulation, energy generation from coal is the main source of air pollution. Although the DQAP from automobiles is not high, it is predicted to rise year-on-year. In summary, the ecological risk due to pollution in Xiamen city is high, and the main pollutants are SO₂, NO₂ and PM_2.5.     

Air pollutant levels are 12 times higher than guidelines in Varanasi,India. Sources and transfer

Air quality in an urban atmosphere is regulated by both local and distant emission sources. For air quality management in urban areas, identification of sources and their relationships with local meteorology and air pollutants are essential. The critical condition of air quality in Indo-Gangetic plain is well known, but lack of data on both local and distant emission sources limits the scope of improving air quality in this region. Concentrations of particulate matter of size lower than 10 μm (PM₁₀) were assessed in the highly urbanized Varanasi city situated in middle Indo-Gangetic plain of India from 2014 to 2017, to identify the distant air pollution sources based on trajectory statistical models and local sources by conditional bivariate probability function. Modifying effects of meteorology and air pollutants on PM₁₀ were also explored. Mean PM₁₀ concentration for the study period was 244.8 ± 135.8 μg m^?3, which was 12 times higher than the WHO annual guideline. Several distinct sources of traffic as the major source of PM₁₀ were identified in the city. Trajectory statistical models like cluster analysis, potential source contribution function and concentration-weighted trajectory showed significant contributions from north-west and eastern directions in the transport of polluted air masses to the city. Dew point, wind speed, temperature and ventilation coefficient are the major factors in PM₁₀ formation and dispersion.     

大气细颗粒物与糖尿病

随着我国社会经济和城市化的快速发展,大气颗粒物是影响我国城市空气质量的首要污染物,大气细颗粒物污染已严重威胁我国居民健康。本文简要综述了PM2.5诱导的氧化应激和炎症反应在糖尿病的发生和发展中的分子作用机制。     

The pollution characteristics of PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers’ Meeting

The pollution characteristics of PM_2.5 and correlation analysis with meteorological parameters in Xinxiang during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Prime Ministers’ Meeting were investigated. During the whole meeting, nine PM_2.5 samples were collected at a suburban site of Xinxiang, and the average concentration of PM_2.5 was 122.28 μg m^?3. NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2? accounted for 56.8% of the total water-soluble ions. In addition, with an exception of Cl^?, all of water-soluble ions decreased during the meeting. Total concentrations of crustal elements ranged from 6.53 to 185.86 μg m^?3, with an average concentration of 52.51 μg m^?3, which accounted for 82.5% of total elements. The concentrations of organic carbon and elemental carbon were 7.71 and 1.52 μg m^?3, respectively, lower than those before and after the meeting. It is indicated that during the meeting, limiting motor vehicles is to reduce exhaust emissions, delay heating is to reduce the fossil fuel combustion, and other measures are to reduce the concentration of PM_2.5. The directly dispersing by mixing layerheight increase and the indirectly reducing the formation of secondary aerosol by low relative humidity, andthese are the only two key removing mechanisms of PM_2.5 in Xinxiang during the meeting.     

Study on particulate and metallic elements variation at daytime and nighttime period in urban atmosphere

Daily PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10 and TSP have been collected by Universal and PS‐1 sampler simultaneously at a site within Taichung between February and March 1999. The filters were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the elemental analysis of Ca, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr. In general, the concentration of these metallic elements are higher in fine particles than in coarse particles. On average, PM₁₀ accounted for 67% of the TSP at daytime, while at nighttime PM₁₀ accounted for only 44% of the TSP. For PM_2.5, PM₂._5–10 and TSP concentrations, there were no significant differences between day and night period. The averaged concentrations of metallic elements in PM_2.5 at daytime were all higher than that at nighttime. Ca, Fe and Zn have large and variable PM_2.5 concentrations at both daytime and nighttime. For the daytime Zn and Pb account for the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. For the nighttime, Zn and Cr make the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. The concentrations of Mn were higher on fine particulates. The trace metals Cu and Cr in Taichung are probably due to particulates emitted by Taichung Fire Power Plants transported into the sampling area by the prevailing northwesterly wind.     

The impact on tropospheric ozone formation on the implementation of a program for mobile emissions control: a case study in São Paulo,Brazil

The main sources of reactive hydrocarbons (RHC) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), ozone precursors, in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) in the southeast of Brazil are emissions from vehicles fleets. Ambient surface ozone and particulate matter concentrations are air quality problem in the MASP. This study examined the impact that implementing a control program for mobile emissions has on ozone concentrations, An episode of high surface ozone concentrations occurring in the MASP during the March 13–15, 2000 period was used as a case study that was modeled for photochemical oxidants using the California Institute of Technology/Carnegie Mellon University three-dimensional photochemical model. Different scenarios were analyzed in relationship to the implementation of the Programa Nacional de Controle de Poluição por Veículos Automotores (PROCONVE, National Program to Control Motor Vehicle Pollution). Scenario 1 assumed that all vehicles were operating within PROCONVE guidelines. Scenarios 2 and 3 considered hypothetical situations in which the PROCONVE was not implemented. Scenario 2 set the premise that vehicles were using pre-1989 technology, whereas scenario 3 allowed for technological advances. A base case scenario, in which the official emission inventory for the year 2000 was employed, was also analyzed. The CIT model results show agreement with most measurements collected during 13–15 March 2000 modeling episode. Mean normalized bias for ozone, CO, RHC and NO _x are approximately 9.0, 6.0, ?8.3, 13.0%, respectively. Tropospheric ozone concentrations predicted for scenario 2 were higher than those predicted for scenarios 1, 3 and base case. This study makes a significant contribution to the evaluation of air quality improvement and provides data for use in evaluating the economic costs of implementing a program of motor vehicle pollution control aimed at protecting human health.     

Health risk of aerosols and toxic metals from incense and joss paper burning

We report for the first time the distribution and hazard potential of aerosol and metals resulting from joss paper burning. Burning joss paper and incense is a traditional custom in many Oriental countries. Large amounts of air pollutants, including particles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, toxic metals and other gaseous pollutants, are released into the environment during the burning stage. Many investigations have reported on the emission of pollutants from the incense burning. However, no work has been reported until now on the analysis of the released pollutants apart from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, a micro-orifice uniform-deposit impactor and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were, respectively, used to collect aerosols and characterize the toxic metals from joss paper burning. We studied two types of particulate matter (PM): PM_2.5 that are particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm and PM₁₀ that are particles with a diameter smaller than 10 μm. PM_2.5 are the most potentially toxic particles. Our results showed that PM_2.5 are the major component of the pollutants and that the PM_2.5 to PM₁₀ ratio ranged from 62 to 99%. The metals Na, Ca, Mg, Al and K were the main species in the aerosol and in the bottom ash.     

Verteilung und Abnahme von bodennahem Ozon in städtischen und ländlichen Regionen

The compilation of ozone data for the federal states of Hesse and Northrhine-Westphalia (NRW) in Germany indicated that the concentration of ozone level slightly decreased during the years 1990–1998. The average concentration of ozone over forest areas is significantly higher than over cities. Only the maximum figures in the years approached one another. However, values passing the legal thresholds (180 μg ozone/m³) were two to three-fold higher over forests than over cities. The ozone concentration in air is inversely proportional to the traffic density. It is suggested that the lower NOx concentration over the forest than over cities is involved in the maintenance of the higher ozone-concentration over forest areas. In the cities, the ozone is reduced by NO to almost zero at night, whereas it is reduced by only about 50% over forests with lower NO concentrations. This reduction is only partially compensated in connection with the photolysis of NO₂ and the subsequent oxidation of O₂ to O₃ during the day. The ozone situation is principally the same in the federal states of Hesse and Northrhine-Westphalia.     

Distribution,geochemistry, and mineralogy of aerosols in the Angouran Mine area,northwest Iran

The Angouran Mine, located in northwest Iran, is the largest Zn–Pb producer in the Middle East. This study was designed to investigate the distribution, geochemistry, and mineralogy of the aerosols in the mining area and to assess their likely health impacts on the local residents. For this purpose, 36 aerosol samples were collected from 2014 to 2015 at nine sites located in mine district and upwind and downwind directions. The concentration of potentially toxic elements in the aerosols was determined using AAS instrument. Size, morphology, and mineralogy of the particles were studied using SEM and EDX spectra. The results indicate that the amount of total suspended particles in upwind, mine district, and downwind sites is 95.5, 463.4 and 287.5 µg/m³, respectively. The concentrations of PM_2.5 in the three locations are 8.9, 134.7, and 51.8 µg/m³, whereas the PM₁₀ contents are 2.9, 74.4, and 15.5 µg/m³, respectively. These observations point to the impact of mining activities on the concentration of aerosols in the local atmosphere. The values of air quality index also show the probable effects of the mining activities on the health of the local populations, especially for allergic peoples. The average concentration of Zn in the samples collected from the mining district (290 µg/kg) is much higher than its value in the upwind sites (27 µg/kg). The highest concentration of As (70 µg/kg), Cd (10 µg/kg), and Pb (3 µg/kg) is in downwind sites, which shows the negative impact of mining activities on the local air quality. Temporally, the highest concentration of the studied elements is recorded in spring season, especially for PM_2.5 collected in downwind stations. Based on the results of SEM and EDX spectra, three groups of minerals, i.e., carbonates, silicates, and sulfides, are present in the aerosol particles, confirming the local source for the aerosols. SEM analyses showed that the aerosol particles with dissimilar chemical composition have different morphologies such as irregular, rounded, elongated, and angular. On the basis of the results, the mining activities in the Angouran Zn–Pb Mine may have various short- and long-term consequences on the public health, especially due to high amount of the finer particles (PM_2.5) and the higher concentration of the potentially toxic elements in PM_2.5 which can penetrate into the lungs.